Rite-Hite UK Limited

           

                 

                         

When it comes to Loading Bay safety, Rite-Hite can rightfully claim to be an expert. Its Global Wheel-Lok system has been a mainstay of European Loading Bay installations since 1997.

But Rite-Hite is more than just a ‘products’ business; it delivers a range of solutions within the warehousing, logistics and distribution industry, with industrial doors, barriers and fans designed and proven to improve safety, security, productivity, energy savings and environmental control.

The company has deep roots, having been founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Arthur K. White in 1965. It quickly gained prominence amongst the manufacturers of Loading Bay equipment, and in 1980 launched its iconic DOK-LOK® trailer restraint. Its proprietary design, which provides protection against several types of trailer separation, quickly became the industry standard and to this day continues to be the preferred option for the majority of installations worldwide.

Rite-Hite understands the critical importance of safety and security in Loading Bay environments. It also understands the demands placed on firms to deliver more in less time. In an average year, a single worker crosses the Loading Bay threshold (i.e the edge between the Loading Bay and the vehicle) some 100,000 times, with the obvious risk this entails. Add to that the constant flow of forklift, truck and trailer traffic, and the international nature of logistics where multiple languages are spoken and occasionally misunderstood, and the risk of costly accidents or serious injury increases.

It was to address these risks that Rite-Hite created the Global Wheel-Lok, so called because it is designed to secure any type of trailer to the Loading Bay. Manufactured in Europe, it prevents well-known incidents such as vehicle creep (also known as ‘dock walk’), and accidents caused by a vehicle leaving its bay too early. Traditional wheel chocks are limited in their use and unreliable, especially in poor weather conditions. They are also not strong enough to prevent a vehicle from pulling away unexpectedly and require someone to put them in place.

With Rite-Hite’s system, the driver simply reverses their vehicle to the Bay where wheel guides ensure accurate positioning onto the Global Wheel-Lok. As the tyre crosses the locking arm, the barrier rises and, using the energy of the trailer, follows the tyre until the trailer stops against the dock bumpers. The tyre is then locked in place, and a simple ‘green/red’ lighting system indicates to the driver – and the Loading Bay workers – that it is safe to continue.

When loading/unloading is completed, the Loading Bay worker presses the ‘unlock’ button to release the locking teeth, and a green light is displayed to the driver. The locking arm follows the trailer tyre back to its original resting position, and the vehicle is safe to leave. Being self-powered and with only four main components, the system is extremely reliable and easy to maintain. It is also particularly robust, capable of resisting up to 14,500kg of pull out force. Perhaps not surprisingly it is recognised as Europe’s only restraint to exceed the requirement for an FEM  Class 3 vehicle restraint on both empty and full trailers.

Rite-Hite’s suite of Loading Bay safety solutions does not stop at the Global Wheel-Lok. It includes its Dok-Guardian Safety Barriers which prevent workers and forklift drivers from falling over the edge of a vacant Loading Bay. Simple and easy-to-use, the barriers are made of PVC-coated fibreglass mesh, bound with highly visible bright yellow, heavy-duty, polyester restraint straps that are strong enough to stop a 4500kg forklift truck moving at speeds of up to 6.5km/h. When not in use, the safety barrier retracts inside steel wardens. The barriers integrate with Rite-Hite’s powerful Dok-Commander Interlock system, which enables complete control of multiple pieces of loading dock equipment from a single, centralised unit. This powerful control system offers a real-time trailer presence monitor that provides a camera view of the exterior vehicle restraint.

Beyond the Loading Bay, Rite-Hite’s solutions include a range of systems to further improve safety and energy efficiency. High-speed FasTrax doors, for example, are efficient insulators, avoiding airflow issues and reducing cooling loss (in refrigerated/cold storage areas) to deliver significant energy savings. They also have a range of safety features built in, including a soft-bottom edge and the ability to refeed automatically should they be hit, without the need to be manually re-set.

In addition to high-speed doors, Rite-Hite also manufactures in-plant safety barriers to separate and define work areas and walkways, provide drop-off protection for interior loading and safeguards docks by offering a substantial visual and physical barrier. Finally, it also designs high-volume, low-speed fans to address environmental control issues (cooling and heating) and provide an alternative to less effective floor fans.

Rite-Hite representatives offer a series of local services that provide support and maintenance to all of its customers throughout Europe. To find out more, visit: https://www.ritehite.com/en/eu